Apollo 19 – Some More Stuff

What transpired on the shores of the Sea Of Tranquility is noted in detail later in this series.

Today we observe how Commander Pilletjie Plaatjies and his trusted navigator embarked on their unique mission into`Eeeyowter Spaays`.

Although Apollo 19 was launched soon after Apollo 18, Apollo 19`s mission was kept hushed and hidden from the public for fear of ridicule and backlash from an already irate US public.

Apollo 18 ferried a crew and supplies to the SkyLab orbiting laboratory in the early 1970`s. The next mission was to have been a test of how long it would take astronauts in zero gravity to change from their space flight suits into pyjamas and then back into their full space suits again. Up until then, early 1973, it was felt by NASA officials that in the event of disaster aboard an Apollo mission the crew needed to be able to get changed as quickly and efficiently as possible. By changing socks from warm knee-length socks to very short gym socks had improved the `changeability factor`by 24.67 percent. This was a positive enough result to tempt NASA to deploy Apollo 19 in a `SCGDGU` mission environment and in the process, utilise a previously minoritised and untapped space resource – The Afronaut.

As the result of an intensive Afronaut selection process whereby prospective candidates were secretly filmed whilst in their homes, getting changed into their pyjamas each evening, Pilletjie and Stilletjie outshone the lesser ranks and were ultimately selected to suit up and mount up the giant Saturn 5 rocket that would take them on a journey of a lifetime. Their `SCGDGU` mission, (Space Clothing Get Dressed Get Undressed), saw the brave and adventurous lads about to launch into history.

DECLERATION
This Short Story entitled “Apollo 19 – Some More Stuff ” is copyrighted to the author, Simon J Tatt. No persons may reproduce any part of the story in any way for the purposes of financial gain or for any other reasons without the express permission of Simon J Tatt. Law 6785/67 of the Intrinsic Writers Code of 2009 protects the above mentioned work and any infringement thereof will result in a fine of $20 000 and/or a jail term of between 5 and 7 years in a Lithuanian sprout skinning factory. Additionally, perpetrators might be subjected to having harnessed mosquitoes with wings flapping at 55000 bpm inserted directly into their ear canals.

Simon J Tatt

My birth date is in the year of the Tiger (water). I live in South Africa. I was born in England but relocated to SA with my family when i was 6. They wouldn`t let me row across in my own boat so i joined them on board the Pendennis Castle in March 1970. This blog is an expression of the interests i have in life. I am inspired by many events and situations, places and people.
I once tried writing seriously but realised after the first paragraph that this wouldn`t be happening. Since then, i have created characters like Bof Jan, who is a simple chap living in the Free State in South Africa in the 70`s/early 80`s. Other characters and situations pop into my head and appear on this web page. I write music as well and some of my songs will be posted here in the near future. I enjoy eating avocado pears, sausages, feta cheese, pita bread, garlic, sliced ham and rum `n raison ice cream. I believe that most world leaders are men and are psychopaths and that women should be given a chance now to get things straightened out. I wish all bullets and bombs would stop working from tomorrow morning at 7am (03/03/2010). People on Earth should put nature first from now on and not kill off plants and animals simply because they don`t care about the state of the planet...we`ve only got one to live on. My favourite quote is from Hunter S Thompson and it goes like this ..."Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming `Wow! What a ride!`"